Paid
Bungee jump — Saint-Gervais viaduct
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Bungee jump from the Saint-Gervais viaduct in the Mont-Blanc valley: pro-supervised thrill, gear included. Summer season.
Paid · Book online
Maison Forte de Hautetour
A restored 13th-century fortified house, once the last seat of the Châtellenie de Montjoie, now a cultural centre: the Compagnie des guides, winter exhibitions and the Archipel contemporary art centre.
Location verified by loisirs74.fr
DimiTalen · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
13th-century fortified house, cultural and contemporary art centre
Access
Paid (free under 5)
Price
Adult €5 · Reduced €4 · under 5 free
Duration
1 to 1.5 hours
Best season
All year round · host card gives reduced rate
Parking
Free municipal parking 2 min away
Animals
Not allowed (museum + contemporary art)
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Accepted on the ground floor and mezzanine
Town
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Wheelchair access
💶
Price
Plein tarif adulte
5,00 €Visite expositions + scénographie permanente + Archipel
Tarif réduit
4,00 €Enfant 5-18 ans, lycéen, situation handicap, famille nombreuse, groupes 10+
Gratuité totale
0,00 €Moins de 5 ans
What is Maison Forte de Hautetour
The Maison Forte de Hautetour in Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (74170) is one of the most accessible heritage sites in the Mont-Blanc valley. A 13th-century fortified house, it was the last seat of the Montjoie châtellenie (the valley running up to Les Contamines). Fallen into disuse in the 19th century, it underwent a major restoration in 2012 by the commune and reopened to the public in 2015 as a municipal cultural centre, in the heart of the village 10 minutes' walk from the Mont-Blanc Express station.
The new permanent display 'Mont-Blanc, côté Val Montjoie' (inaugurated 2025) covers the history of the Saint-Gervais guides' company, local alpinism since the 19th century, the geology of the massif and life at altitude. The winter 2025–2026 exhibition 'History of Mountain Rescue' (16 December 2025–30 April 2026) covers rescue techniques, equipment evolution and the PGHM and CRS Montagne services. The site also hosts the Pôle Archipel Art Contemporain, a municipal art centre with temporary shows, workshops and artist residencies.
Very affordable fares: adult €5, reduced €4, free under 5. Open year-round: Wed–Sun 2 pm–6 pm outside school holidays, daily 2 pm–7 pm in high season (July–August, Christmas and February holidays). Closed 25 December and 1 January. Partial wheelchair access. Free municipal car park 2 minutes away.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
114 passage Montjoux, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (village centre, signposted) View on map
Coordinates
45.892° N · 6.713° E
Altitude
≈ 800 m (central Saint-Gervais)
Opening hours
OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND. OUTSIDE HOLIDAYS: Wed-Sun 2pm-6pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. PEAK SEASONS (July-August + Christmas holidays + February holidays): daily 2pm-7pm. Closed 25 December and 1 January. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Booking
No booking for individuals (on-site ticketing). Groups (10+) by booking on +33 (0)4 50 47 79 80 or via saintgervais.com. Artist-residency studio visits at reception. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Parking
Free municipal parking 2 min on foot from Maison Forte de Hautetour (Bonjorny car park, central Saint-Gervais). Large capacity. Accessible to coaches by booking.
Pets
Not allowed inside Maison Forte de Hautetour (museum + contemporary artworks). Possible exception for assistance dogs.
Accessibility
Maison Forte de Hautetour is partly wheelchair accessible: the ground floor and mezzanine are wheelchair accessible. Upper floors reached only by a stone staircase. Reduced price €4 for people with disabilities. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Access duration
1 to 1.5 hours at Maison Forte de Hautetour: permanent exhibition + temporary exhibition + Pôle Archipel
Contact
+33 (0)4 50 47 79 80 · contact via saintgervais.com. Verified on 24 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Chamonix (≈25 min, 25 km) via D1506 then D902 to central Saint-Gervais. From Sallanches (≈15 min) via D902. Free Bonjorny municipal car park 2 min on foot from Maison Forte de Hautetour (114 passage Montjoux).
Open in MapsPublic transport
Saint-Gervais's Mont-Blanc Express station is 10 min on foot from Maison Forte (Saint-Gervais-Vallorcine-Martigny line + a line towards Le Fayet and Chamonix). Saint-Gervais host card = free travel. Saint-Gervais's ski bus runs in winter.
Open in MapsBy bike
Mont-Blanc greenway nearby. Bike parking in central Saint-Gervais. Sallanches-Saint-Gervais sports route (15 km, moderate elevation gain).
Open in MapsNearest stops
- Miage · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y84 · 193 m
- Mont d'Arbois · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y82, Y84 · 230 m
- Le Pont · Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Y82, Y84 · 353 m
- Cars Région Haute-Savoie · Official fares & timetables →
Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)
When to visit
When to visit
Maison Forte de Hautetour is open all year round with seasonal hours. Outside school holidays: Wed-Sun 2pm-6pm, ideal for a quiet visit. Peak seasons (July-August + Christmas holidays + February holidays): daily 2pm-7pm, busier but with more activities on offer. Winter 2025-2026: flagship exhibition 'The history of mountain rescue' from 16 December 2025 to 30 April 2026 - WORTH THE TRIP for mountain enthusiasts and lovers of alpine history. Spring 2026: artist residency with Adrien Fricheteau (Jan-May), studio visits possible. Summer: new exhibition design 'Mont-Blanc, the Val Montjoie side' unveiled in 2025, a natural complement to a day at the Aiguille du Midi cable car (Chamonix). A 13TH-CENTURY FORTIFIED HOUSE RESTORED IN 2012, the last seat of the Châtellenie de Montjoie, now a municipal cultural centre. PERMANENT EXHIBITION DESIGN 'Mont-Blanc, the Val Montjoie side' unveiled in 2025 (Compagnie des guides de Saint-Gervais). PÔLE ARCHIPEL CONTEMPORARY ART CENTRE integrated within it. EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE PRICING €5 / €4 reduced (child 5-18, secondary-school student, disability, large family, groups of 10+). FREE under 5. Accessible via the MONT-BLANC EXPRESS 10 min away, free municipal parking. Saint-Gervais host card = reduced rate. Can be combined with the Aiguille du Midi (Chamonix), the Mer de Glace (Montenvers), or the Gorges de la Diosaz (Servoz) for a heritage-plus-great-Mont-Blanc-sites day out.
Events : 2026 programme on saintgervais.com: winter exhibition 'The history of mountain rescue' (16 Dec 2025-30 Apr 2026), artist residency with Adrien Fricheteau (Jan-May 2026), Nuit des Musées in mid-May, European Heritage Days in mid-September, temporary exhibitions from the Pôle Archipel contemporary art centre.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you book at Maison Forte de Hautetour?
Maison Forte de Hautetour offers walk-in access during opening hours with on-site ticketing. No booking needed for individuals. Groups (10+) by booking on +33 (0)4 50 47 79 80 or via saintgervais.com.
What are the prices at Maison Forte de Hautetour?
Maison Forte de Hautetour: adult €5, reduced price €4 (child 5-18 years, secondary-school student, disability, large family, groups of 10+), free under 5. Saint-Gervais host card = reduced rate. Verified on 24 May 2026.
What are Maison Forte de Hautetour's opening hours?
Maison Forte de Hautetour: Wed-Sun 2pm-6pm outside school holidays. Daily 2pm-7pm in peak seasons (July-August + Christmas and February holidays). Closed 25 December and 1 January. Verified on the official website on 24 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
What is the history of Maison Forte de Hautetour?
Maison Forte de Hautetour is a 13th-century fortified house, the last seat of the Châtellenie de Montjoie (in the Val Montjoie valley). Major restoration in 2012 by the town of Saint-Gervais, reopened in 2015 as a municipal cultural centre.
What exhibition is on at Maison Forte de Hautetour in winter 2025-2026?
The winter exhibition at Maison Forte de Hautetour, 'The history of mountain rescue', runs from 16 December 2025 to 30 April 2026: techniques, equipment, the evolution of the PGHM and CRS Montagne services in Haute-Savoie.
What is the Pôle Archipel at Maison Forte de Hautetour?
The Pôle Archipel contemporary art centre is part of Maison Forte de Hautetour: Saint-Gervais's municipal contemporary art centre, with temporary exhibitions, workshops and artist residencies. Programme on archipelartcontemporain.fr.
Is Maison Forte de Hautetour wheelchair accessible?
Maison Forte de Hautetour is partly wheelchair accessible: the ground floor and mezzanine are wheelchair accessible. The upper floors are reached only by a stone staircase (no lift). Reduced price €4 for people with disabilities.
How do you get to Maison Forte de Hautetour without a car?
Maison Forte de Hautetour is 10 min on foot from Saint-Gervais's Mont-Blanc Express station (Saint-Gervais-Vallorcine-Martigny line). Saint-Gervais host card = free travel. Saint-Gervais's ski bus runs in winter.
Featured in our selections
Sources
Sources & verification
- saintgervais.com
- idt-hautesavoie.com
- montsdugenevois.com
- fr.wikipedia.org
- guides-patrimoine-savoie-mont-blanc.fr
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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